Charlotte's Web

I miss you, beautiful weaving creature, spinning your perfect home.
Each day began viewing your guarding presence like an angel radiating our home.
Then each night we wished you “goodnight “ and success trapping your prey.
As I descend my stairs you were the picture perfect frame of nature offering endless arachnology lessons.
I watched you wait, I watched you attack, I watched you eat, I watched you weave, I watched you grow.
Then on that faithful night all of your essence manifested into your purpose with dedication and diligence.
The egg was complete. – The trophy – left you exhausted.
Shortly after, with your prized possession suspended securely in the window's corner, you disappeared web and all.
A certain sadness wells up as we all gather by the window hoping to see your growing belly or nibble legs.
My youngest child points and calls out hoping you will magically appear.
As I walk the grounds I search for your signature web pronouncing your brilliance, but I never find you though posts and trees are consumed by nearly related cousins occupying the most promising opportunities.
I know your fate. I know what time has in store, but I am struggling to say “good-bye.”
I do promise to keep your token safe and hidden.
I just hope your offspring will enchant our home with her seasonal presence to keep your legacy living.
Farewell, Charlotte. You are missed.

My tribute to Burton

I'm sorry I did not go to your memorial paddle. If you were alive I know you would have wanted me there, but I now hope you understand why I wasn't.

I wanted to see the last place you enjoyed. You picked a hell of a place to meet your maker. The Linville Gorge is gorgeous. I look forward to many more visits to explore this amazing landscape and remembering you.

I promise I will paddle more and practice more boldness. I will do my best to introduce my kids to the sport we have loved so much. You will have to trust I will teach them the best way I know without throwing them into the boiling waters.

I look forward to the day when we are reunited. Until then I will miss you very much and try to live with little regret.

Our Family

Olive Joy

Without boring you with too many details because it happened so long ago, I'll highlight. At 41 weeks 1 day I was walking my dog when strange pressures on my bladder started. At 4:30 p.m. contractions appeared. At 7 p.m. my husband had dropped off our oldest daughter at a friend's house then drove me to the hospital. At 8 p.m. we arrived in Labor & Delivery 5cm dilated. 9 p.m. my bag of waters leaked out. I was then lead to my delivery room with a laboring tub waiting for me. I was maybe in there 20 minutes. My midwife asked if I was ready to push to which I said "yes." For some reason on knees facing the head of the upright bed sounded like an ideal way to push. Contraction: I breathed through the push. "She's coming. Give a strong push!" Contraction: I pushed with all my might convinced I pushing out a very large turd. "She's almost out. One more push." I follow the instructions, but WHAT!?!? She came out in three pushes. That was too easy. At 9:41 p.m. Olive joined the world at 9.10 oz and 22 inches. It was an amazing birth and a delightful recovery. Let nature do its thing and it is a beautiful process.

I'm back.........

I want to apologize for not writing for over a year. Long story short I become ridiculously obsessed with the elections and angry, then I got pregnant feeling tired all the time with little motivation. On March 25, 2017 Olive Joy was introduced to the world, but the whole feeding a baby all night controlled my life. When little Olive acquired a normal sleep schedule I tried logging on this site using my phone, but forgot my password. Blah, blah, blah. Excuses, excuses, excuses. So tonight I finally pulled out the ole laptop. Laptop? What's a laptop? And here I am. I'll be sure to post more photos now.